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Explore the fascinating world of plate tectonics and Earth's layers with this educational resource for 5th graders. Learn about the Earth's outer crust, made up of tectonic plates that drift atop the semi-rigid mantle. Discover the layers of the Earth, including the solid crust, massive mantle, and the iron-rich core. Dive into the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and mesosphere, understanding how they contribute to geological activity. Perfect for young scientists eager to understand how our planet works and the forces that shape it.
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Plate Tectonics Liz LaRosa for use with my 5th Grade Science Class http://www.middleschoolscience.com 2009
Earth’s Layers The Earth's rocky outer crust solidified billions of years ago, soon after the Earth formed. This crust is not a solid shell; it is broken up into huge, thick plates that drift atop the soft, underlying mantle.
The Crust • Outermost layer • 5 – 100 km thick • Made of Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum
The Mantle • Layer of Earth between the crust and the core • Contains most of the Earth’s mass • 2,900km Thick • Has more magnesium and less aluminum and silicon than the crust • Is denser than the crust • Scientists know about the composition from studying what comes out of volcanoes.
The Core • Below the mantle and to the center of the Earth • 3,430 Km Thick • Believed to be mostly Iron, smaller amounts of Nickel • The core has two parts: the inner core, which is a solid and the outer core, a liquid.
The Lithosphere The crust and the upper layer of the mantle together make up a zone of rigid, brittle rock called the Lithosphere.
The Asthenosphere The asthenosphere is the semi-rigid part of the middle mantle that flows like hot asphalt under a heavy weight.
The Mesosphere The mesosphere is the strong, lower mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core. Mesosphere (lower mantle)
Plate Tectonics • Greek – “tektonikos” of a builder • Pieces of the lithosphere that move around • Each plate has a name • Fit together like jigsaw puzzles • Float on top of mantle similar to ice cubes in a bowl of water